Nasicornus Beetle Fungus 451 



covered with four or five inches of soft earth 

 kept well weeded, and then a few handfuls of 

 the fungus-infected earth is scattered over the 

 top and covered from the hot sun several days 

 until it penetrates to the refuse underneath. 

 The smell of the fermenting cacao pods, or of 

 the rotting wood, attracts the mother beetles, 

 who come in great numbers to oviposit, and 

 the fungus destroys the larvae almost as fast as 

 they come forth from the eggs. He concludes : 

 " I have talked with the assistants of Dr. 

 Friederichs, and with planters who are experi- 

 menting under his observation, and I have 

 seen the dead and dying larva? removed from 

 the nests, and noted that the destruction is 

 from 90 to 100 per cent, effective. 



" It is likewise claimed that mother beetles 

 who remain long in these nests are also affected, 

 and leave only to find themselves suffering from 

 the fungus cancer. I have seen here a trap 

 about 30 in. x 60 in. in size, constructed 

 of wood, wire netting and galvanized iron, and 

 costing say i2s. to 155. to make, which is said 

 to have caught 460 beetles within three months' 

 time. It is baited with live beetles, whose 

 calls or odour attract their friends and 

 relatives. Dr. Friederichs deserves great credit 

 for his patience and scientific attainments, 

 which must prove of the greatest use to 

 planters." 



The following appeared in the Samoansche 

 Zeitung of September 13 (in German) in 

 connection with this parasite : 



